Where To Ride

Its taken a while to find some good kitesurfing beaches that cooperate with kitesurfers, but here's a growing list of good spots to frequent. Always have your best manners when dealing with lifeguards and make sure people know you're there so if you need help on the water, they will watch for you. Many beach-goers are not used to having kitesurfers around, or dealing with the extra pressures of watching you, in addition to the swimmers in the water.

Michigan

Weko Beach

Wind Directions: SW, W, NW, N

Directions: Take I90 or I294/I80/94 from the city south around the lake through N. Indiana toward the Michigan border. After Michigan City, but before St. Joseph, you will hit an exit called Bridgman. Take the Bridgman exit off I94 and head East (make a right). Go up to the streetlight (about 1/3 mile up) that has a Subway on the left and get yourself some chow. You’re gonna need it for the intense riding you’ll be doing! Then take a left and head Northwest to the beach entrance. You’ll immediately go under the highway, continue straight through the townhome area, and the road will veer off to the right about a 3/4 mile up into the park. If you skip Subway, don’t worry, during the on-season, there’s a bar on the beach. Parking is not free during the swim season. Rig to the North side of the beach. If you are facing the water, this is the right side of the beach.

**Note(1): During the swim season, end of May to early September, kiteboarding at Weko Beach is not allowed. Please refrain from kiting at this beach during this timeframe. Warren Dunes State Park (see below) is the alternative site while Weko is closed.

Warren Dunes State Park

One of the most popular parks in Michigan, with three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Stay out of the swimming area or you will get a ticket. The beach patrol enforces this rule very strictly. You can access the state park property by parking at Weko Beach and walking to the extreme South end of the beach. There are signs posted on the beach to show you where the state park property starts. You must launch and land on state park property, only.

**Note(1): You can also access Warren Dunes also from their main entrance 3 miles south of Weko Beach. Kiting there is only at the far North end of the beach past the last parking lot.

Jean Klock Park

Wind Directions: WSW, W, NW, NNE

Just N of St. Joeseph.

Directions: From Grand Rapids: Take I-196 to Holland. Take US-31 South towards Benton Harbor. Take M-63 South towards Benton Harbor. Take Klock Road west. Follow signs to park. From St. Joseph: Take Main Street (US-63) North to Benton Harbor. Take Klock Road West and follow the signs. From Chicago: Take I90/294/80/94 around the lake. Take I94 past St. Joseph to I196 North toward Grand Rapids.

Rocky Gap Park

Wind Directions: WSW, W, NW, N, NE

Just North of St. Joe.

Directions: From Grand Rapids: Take I-196 to Holland. Take US-31 South towards Benton Harbor. Take M-63 South towards Benton Harbor. Take Rocky Gap Road to park. From St. Joseph: Take Main Street (US-63) North to Benton Harbor. Take Rocky Gap Road to park

Lions Park

Lions Park (near St. Joe) is below the bluff in downtown St. Joseph, south on lions park Drive. Sheltered pavilions, parking and sidewalks. (No lifeguards on duty) It has a view of St. Joseph’s pier and lighthouse.

Grand Mere State Park

Wind Directions: W, NW, N, NE

Just North of Indiana border

Directions: The beach is about a minute from the parking lot on a self guided trail. To get to the beach, from I-94, take the John Beers exit to the West (exit 22). You go back over the expressway straight into a rural forest area. The road is narrow and turns into a dirt road. Continue down this road to the dead end. It turns parallel to the shore passing some houses and then dead ends at a small parking area for about 4-5 cars. There are a couple homes right there, too, so don’t be alarmed. Follow the sandy trail that’s marked as beach access over a dune and down to the beach. This puts you at the very downwind end of the beach on a SW wind. Also, there’s a couple private beach areas you need to stay clear of. Its best to walk along the water to your left, all the way to the point that you can see – approximately a 200-300 yard walk – to a good upwind launch area – especially if you’re unable to stay upwind.

**Note(1) – Do not follow the signs to the Grand Mere State Park. It directs a left turn after crossing the expressway. If you park here, there is a 1 mile walk to the same beach with all your gear! (Restrooms are available at the parking lot. Obtain an entrance permit at Warren Dunes State Park.)

Silver Beach (St. Joseph)

Wind Directions: WSW, W, NW, N, NE

Directions: Silver Beach is below the bluff in downtown St. Joseph on Lake Street. Take I90 or I294/I80/94 from the city south around the lake through N. Indiana into Michigan. Exit I-94 to St. Joseph (red arrow highway) and follow it for several miles into the downtown area. Take the last left turn before heading over the bridge, the first right and follow it down to the left. You will come to a right turn over train-tracks. Head over the tracks straight into the parking area. Parking is $7. There is also another beach (Tiscornia Park) to the North side of the harbor breakwall. The North side beach is the better beach, since its less crowded, but there’s a wind-shadow at Tiscornia on SW winds due to the hill and trees right where you park, so walk down a bit. West winds and WSW work really well here with the jetty blocking the waves. The rollers are fun to pop off of at the end of the jetty.

**Note(1): Kiteboarding is to be done North of the jetty during the summer months considering the amount of swimmers present at the main beach (Silver Beach).

**Note(2): It costs to park at silver beach but there is another little parking lot between silver beach and the bluff right in front of the train station and it is free to park there. It is only a hundred yards to the beach. Or if you go down past silver beach and turn at outpost sports that goes to Lyons beach and that is free also.

Tiscornia Park

Wind Directions: SW, W, NW, N

Directions: Tiscornia Park is just North of the St. Joseph River Channel off Upton and Marina Drives in St. Joseph. To get here from the main road (Main Street), take Main through town (North) and go over the bridge. Take the first right turn at Edgewater Drive. Turn left at the stop sign and follow the road to the next stop sign. Make a right on to Upton Drive. Proceed two blocks past the railroad tracks and take a sharp left onto Marina Drive. Follow Marina Drive to the “Yield” sign and take a left onto Ridgeway Drive. Continue straight and take a right at the Tiscornia Park entrace sign. Parking in the lot is a few bucks. West winds and WSW work really well here with the jetty blocking the waves. The rollers are fun to pop off of at the end of the jetty.

South Haven

Wind Directions: SSW, SW, W, NW, N

Directions: From Chicago: Take I90/294/80/94 around the lake. Take I94 past St. Joseph to I196 North toward Grand Rapids. Take I196 to South Haven and exit at County Road 388 (CR388) heading West. Take Phoenix West until you reach Broadway Street and head North (right turn). Broadway curves to the left and turns into Dyckman as it goes over the water. Go to the end and make a left turn to go South. Its a one-way drive around so just follow to the right along the sand to find parking.

Muskegon Area

Excellent kiting location on Lake Michigan. It is set up similar to Michigan City with a break wall creating a harbor (with a beach). However, the beach at Muskegon in between the break walls is a city park vs. at michigan city which is a power plant. So this means FLAT water in the harbor and wave riding on the outside. Also if you look at last years wind data, Muskegon would get those southery “thermals” at 15 -20 knts almost 5 days a week.

From the South (from Chicago): take the directions from Chicago to Grand Haven and go just North of Grand Haven to Muskegon. The exit you’re looking for here is about 5-10 minutes past Grand Haven. Skyline Drive/Moses Jones Parkway is the exit. Take Skyline Drive/Moses Jones Parkway West to 120. 120 will veer to the NW for a bit until you come to a light (holton road). Make a left at this light (it should turn into Lake Road) and follow it down to the end where it will curve 90 degrees to the right and stop at another light. There will be a gas station across and to the left. Make a left here to head in the South West direation. This road turns into Ruddiman. You’re going to be on Ruddiman for a while. Basically take it to the end where you run into water. You make a left to go to the beach. park at the very South end of the lot at the end and walk around that dune to the water, then to the left. Pump and rig near the jetty to ride in the protected waters on South winds. If you are a beginner, pay close attention to the swim zone downwind of you. Do *NOT* ride near the swim zone. Do *NOT* ride with your kite flying near or over the swim zone. If there is a threat to your ability to stay out of the swim zone, get out, and walk upwind back to the jetty (with your kite down and wrapped up).

From the North (from North Michigan area): take exit 120 to Muskegon (West). 120 should turn into Lake Road after the stoplight at the McDonalds. Follow it down to the end where it will curve 90 degrees to the right and stop at another light. There will be a gas station across and to the left. Make a left here to head in the South West direation. This road turns into Ruddiman. You’re going to be on Ruddiman for a while. Basically take it to the end where you run into water. You make a left to go to the beach. park at the very South end of the lot at the end and walk around that dune to the water, then to the left. Pump and rig near the jetty to ride in the protected waters on South winds. If you are a beginner, pay close attention to the swim zone downwind of you. Do *NOT* ride near the swim zone. Do *NOT* ride with your kite flying near or over the swim zone. If there is a threat to your ability to stay out of the swim zone, get out, and walk upwind back to the jetty (with your kite down and wrapped up).

Little Sable Point

Wind Directions: SW, W, NW, N, (SE may work due to thermal pull)

Directions: The drive is about 4.5 hrs. A good place to stay is in Grand Haven and just drive the 45mins to Little Sable in the AM. Take I90 or I294/I80/94 from the city south around the lake through N. Indiana toward the Michigan border. Continue on I94 into Michigan just past St. Joseph, where you need to get on to I196 toward Grand Haven. Take 31 north through Grand Haven about another 45 minutes North to an exit called Shelby Road. Take Shelby exit West toward the East coast of Lake Michigan. You will ride for about 5 miles on Shelby until it ends. Make a right on B15 and follow it to the end. Take another right onto Buchanan. Take a left at the first road 18th. Take this to the end where you go left and follow it through a narrow gravel/dirt road to the parking lot for the beach. You should see the lighthouse immediately next to the lot. This is where the kiters will be. The rigging area is approximately 800 feet South of the lighthouse (if you are facing the water, walk to the left 800 feet from the light house). There are less swimmers/beachgoers here making it a safer area to rig and ride.

Saugatuck

Wind Directions: SSW, SW, W, NW, NNW

Directions: 31 north to exit 34 (M89); left (west) at the top of the ramp, 1/2 mile to stop sign. Turn left (South), drive slowly down this narrow road and go through a little “S” turn. Continue 1 mile down the road to the public park. There is lots of parking and a staircase down to the beach. There are usually a lot of people down at the bottom of the stair, so find a spot away from the crowds to launch and land.